After a long bout with a nerve-related illness, our Lord, Jesus Christ called Shirley Boyes home to be with Him, in the early morning hours of July 14, 2003. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., Sunday, July 27, at Whidbey Evangelical Free Church, south of Greenbank,. Cremation by Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.

Shirley Irene (Van Ness) Boyes was born Nov. 26, 1930, at Yreka, Calif., to Ethel I. (Frank) Van Ness and Vern E. Van Ness. She graduated with a mathematics scholarship from Castlemont High School, Oakland, Calif., in 1948. She applied this scholarship toward tuition for nurses training at Highland School of Nursing, Oakland, Calif., where she earned and received her registered nurse (RN) degree in 1951.

Shirley married Allen D. Boyes of Armour, S.D., in May of 1950. She, along with husband Allen, helped to raise four sons. Allen completed a 30-year career in the United States Navy, retiring in Hawaii as a full commander in 1975. Upon Allen’s retirement from the service, the family relocated to their own home in Edmonds. In 1981, Shirley and Allen sold their house in Edmonds and moved to Central Whidbey, north of Greenbank, at which time they became involved in the planting and growth of the Whidbey Evangelical Free Church.

Shirley enjoyed studying various works of God’s creation such as birds, cats and other animals. She could often be found helping an injured bird back to health. This interest carried over into her wonderful work as a ceramics artist, creating many fine replicas of birds and squirrels. Additionally, her nursing skills were put to use performing many hours of volunteer work at Careage of Whidbey, where she recently passed on to be with the Lord.

Shirley is survived by her husband, Allen D. Boyes; sons, David W., James A., and his wife, Maureen (Terry) Boyes, John E., Larry W., and his wife, Linnie (Leonard) Boyes; granddaughters, Shawna J. Boyes and Christina (Boyes), and her husband, Miguel Hernandez. Memorials may be made to the Pregnancy Care Clinic, Oak Harbor.